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Why the HYV matters in UP politics

Once a source of Chief Minister Adityanath's clout, the Hindu Yuva Vahini is like a thorn in his side now

Yogi Adityanath, UP CM, Adityanath, cm adityanath, yogi
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Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath addresses an election rally in support of the BJP candidates for the Rajasthan State Assembly elections, in Ajmer. (Photo:PTI)

Aditi Phadnis
The first compromise people noticed was the food.

Yogi Adityanath is a mahant, a holy man. He is prohibited, for pollution-purity reasons, from eating just anywhere. As MP, he would be invited by voters and constituents for meals and his supporters would warn them in advance: “Maharajji khana nahin khayenge…”. He might have a piece of fruit or a nut or two, but nothing more.

Now, along with party President Amit Shah, the mahant of the Gorakhnath temple is eating everywhere: You can see him squatting and eating with Yadavs, Dalits… Unthinkable in the past. But he has to. His
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